Safety warm-up: Alternative heat sources can pose danger in winter
The Patriot-News
Thursday, October 23, 2008
George Homerich, a home heating store owner, has a waiting list for wood pellet and coal stoves nearly 30 people long. In fact, he might not be able to fill some orders until spring.
The cost of oil is also driving up business for Jonathan Irwin, owner of Chimney Sweeps Systems Inc., in Carlisle. He recently hired extra help to clean chimneys as more homeowners called with plans to use their fireplaces more often.
"People are definitely concerned," said Homerich, of Old Fashion Heat Inc., in New Cumberland. "Basically, everyone tells me they're wanting a way to trim oil bills by using their furnaces less."
Fire and safety experts fear that increased use of alternative home heating sources could bring a spike in residential fires this winter.
Nearly half of Americans will use an alternative heating source this winter, according to a recent survey by the National Fire Protection Association and American Red Cross.
A third of the surveyed homeowners who owned fireplaces reported they never had them inspected or cleaned. More than half of the homeowners did not have fire escape plans.
"As we head into what, from all signs, will be a very costly winter, our biggest fear is that we'll see headlines of more fires and people being killed or injured in a way that could have been prevented," said NFPA spokeswoman Lorraine Carli.
In the coming weeks, the state Emergency Management Agency and the Office of the Fire Commissioner will launch a fire safety campaign, focusing more on alternative heat sources than in past winters.
State Fire Commissioner Edward Mann hopes people get the message: Don't cut corners on safety when watching your wallet.
Buy batteries for the smoke alarms; pay to have furnaces inspected; and replace faulty cords and outdated space or kerosene heaters.
"We're talking about the potential of someone dying," Mann said. "Unfortunately, people think that a fire might not ever happen to them. Well, that's the wrong attitude to have."
If you're one of the many homeowners thinking of lowering the thermostat and warming by a crackling fire or the glow of a space heater, follow these tips to protect yourself and family members:
FIREPLACE SAFETY
Chimneys and fireplaces should be inspected annually and cleaned, if necessary, by professionals. They'll check for creosote buildup as well as cracks and leaks, said Monroe Twp. Fire Chief Dave A. Heckert, who has seen his share of dirty chimneys in his 25 years of firefighting.
"Some have been clogged completely and people didn't know until it was too late," he said.
Fireplaces that have never been used also must be inspected. Birds and animals can nest or hide inside chimneys.
When using a fireplace, always keep flues open and use a fireplace screen wide enough to block sparks.
Keep all people and flammable items such as decorations and curtains at least three feet away from a fireplace. Install child-safety gates around fireplaces.
Do not burn anything other than wood in a fireplace.
Remove ashes promptly and place them outside away from the home in a metal container with a lid.
WOOD OR PELLET STOVES
Have stoves installed by professionals and learn to use them properly.
"Understand your unit, understand what you're burning and understand the manual," Homerich said.
Inspect and clean stovepipes regularly and check them at least monthly for any damage or blockage. Do not stack wood or flammable items such as magazines or newspapers near a stove. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away.
If you're burning any fossil fuels in the home, install additional carbon monoxide detectors. The detectors should be placed near heat sources and one or more on each level of the home.
If a carbon monoxide detector should sound, leave the home immediately, call 911 and don't crack any windows beforehand.
"Many fire departments have invested in high-tech carbon-monoxide and gas detectors," Mann said. "If you open a window before firefighters arrive, they have no way of detecting the source of carbon monoxide because you've eliminated it."
ELECTRIC AND KEROSENE HEATERS
Read and follow instruction manuals, said Angela Mickalide, director of outreach and education for the Home Safety Council in Washington, D.C.
Fires kill about 3,400 people in their homes each year and cause 261,326 injuries, the agency reports. That leaves fire as the third-leading causing of accidental deaths in homes, Mickalide said.
"Always turn a heater off when leaving a room and never leave it on when you sleep," she said. "It's a tough recommendation because people are using these at night to keep warm. However, most fires occur at night."
Mann said burns are another concern as heaters' surfaces can reach 500 degrees or more.
"You don't even cook a turkey that high," he said. "Keep the devices out of travel areas and where people aren't likely to bump into them."
Make sure heaters have an Underwriters Laboratories safety listing and automatic shutoff features. Also, inspect wires regularly for any crimps or wear. Only put crystal clear K-1 kerosene in a kerosene heater and never place anything on top it.
"All of these alternative heat sources are safe if they're used correctly, installed properly, are maintained regularly and people use common sense," Mann said.